Quote:
Originally Posted by ASTalumna06
But as a "citizen" of the United States, he stood up in front of thousands of Germans and said that America has made mistakes. Even if he wasn't apologizing in a literal sense, he was still making a statement of a large magnitude, knowing full well that he is not a "normal" citizen. Do you or I get to do that when we feel like it? He may have said that he's speaking as a citizen, but that is not what he portrays.
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I'm not a jingoistic citizen by any stretch of the imagination. I don't mind admitting, on an international level, that America has made mistakes and has a ways to go. In fact, I appreciate it. I wish our current President would be so gracious more often as I firmly believe it would improve our global reputation.
If I were standing in front of thousands of Germans (or anyone for that matter) I wouldn't have a problem making the same statements. It's realistic and honest. Even if no one ever said it, it would still be true.
Then again, I seem to be in the minority around here with regard to the global perception of America as I don't mind when non-citizens poke fun at America's national leaders. That's another thread though.